Update: Body found in forest fire near Taupo

A scene examination is currently underway in an area of forest between Taupo and Tokoroa following the discovery of a body during a fire this morning.

The Fire Service was called to reports of smoke in the Ohakuri area, close to SH1 shortly before 10am.

They discovered a body in a burnt out car and notified police.

Bay of Plenty police communications manager Kim Perks said the area had been cordoned off and a scene examination is expected to take some hours, after which the body will be removed from the scene and a post mortem would need to be held.

The Fire Service is still at the scene helping with the scene examination.

Police are also working to identify the deceased and to notify family.

Ms Perks said until that had been done no further information about the deceased could be provided.

It is too early to say whether the death is suspicious so the death is being treated as unexplained until more detail is known.

Police and fire investigators at the scene declined to comment to The Daily Post.

Several police cars and fire service vehicles are parked at an entrance to the forest on State Highway 1.

Police tape blocks off an entrance to a forestry road where the body was believed to be found.